Karl Pfeifer will be known to readers of this blog for his regular contributions. What you may not be aware of is that, after surviving the Nazi onslaught in both Austria and Hungary as a child, Karl went to what was then Palestine, where he served with the Palmach during the War of Independence.

Here are two photographs of Karl serving with the Second Regiment of Hativat Hanegev in 1948. In the top photo, Karl is the fellow wearing the scarf. In the photo underneath, Karl is in the center, wearing a steel helmet. As we mark the 61st anniversary of Israel’s independence, Karl’s experience is a reminder of why we shouldn’t take that independence for granted - and why we owe him and his comrades a huge debt of gratitude.